Are laptop cooling pads worth it?

[YellowJersey]

Just like the title says, is a laptop cooling pad a sensible purchase? Or is it gimmicky? I've got a 15 inch laptop that I mostly use as a desk top and was wondering if a cooling pad would make any noticeable difference.

 

 Anyone have experience with these things? Yay or nay?

[genexis_x]

If your laptop is having thermal problems, just undervolt or maybe do a repaste (which is still cheaper than buying a cooling pad)

[Kalm_Traveler]

depends on how the laptop's cooling system is set up I imagine... like on a Razer Blade it would probably help since it pulls in air from the bottom and exhausts it out the back but not all laptops are designed that way.

[corrado33]

I used to use them back when I gamed on a macbook pro. It helped significantly since that specific computer used the bottom of the "case" as a massive heatsink. It was also one of the powered kind of laptop cooling "pad" (more like a stand). So it plugged into the USB port and had two 80 mm fans that blew air onto the bottom of the laptop. I definitely noticed differences back then, don't exactly remember how much though.

 

If your laptop air intake is on the side, I doubt a cooling "pad" would help.

 

Honestly I think most of the pads are to help people who use a laptop on a soft surface (like the bed).

[Eastman51]

If your laptop has intakes on the bottom, a cooling pad could help, in theory. But you could also try propping the laptop up on something, this would be easier to do if you use an external keyboard or would be willing to switch to one. Its pretty easy to build a little stand to lift it up for more airflow (old books, some unused and small cardboard boxes, some small and unused wood planks, etc). 

 

Side intake laptops wouldn't benefit from either.

A passive laptop would be better off with a cooling pad

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

simple ans: not worth it.

if you notice the table become warm / hot then

just raise laptop by any means , (i use pocket tissue) no addition fans need

if the laptop still overheats, then it has really poor design

[YellowJersey]

The laptop in question is a Lenovo T530, which I think has its primary intake at the back? I already have it propped up using some DVD cases, so there's some pretty significant clearance under the machine. I have noticed that some spots on the bottom can get pretty warm, though.

 I'll try repasting first and see what that does.

[genexis_x]

21 minutes ago, YellowJersey said:

I'll try repasting first and see what that does.

Make sure you choose the correct paste

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/which-thermal-paste-to-buy-and-apply-traditional-and-liquid-metal.806840/